Connecticut's Ricky Gutierrez, left, is upended by Marquise Vann during the UConn's Blue-White spring NCAA college football game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, April 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Photo: Jessica Hill, Associated Press

STORRS -- He introduced them and brought them into the defensive meeting room at the Burton Family Football Complex one by one. Fresh off a quick, congratulatory meeting with athletic director Warde Manuel, UConn head coach Bob Diaco formally introduced Geremy Davis, Byron Jones, Alex Mateas and Marquise Vann as the captains of the 2014 Huskies football team.

"These are the leaders of our team," Diaco said. "The team voted on these guys last night (Wednesday). They were overwhelming in the voting. Everyone in the football family had a vote and these four are going to be incredible representatives of our university, our athletic department and our football team."

Davis, a redshirt senior, caught 71 passes for 1,085 yards and three touchdowns last season -- becoming the first UConn wideout in the Division I era to catch more than 70 passes in a season, including 15 (a single-game record) for 207 yards in a season-ending 45-10 romp over Memphis.

"It's a privilege being selected with those three guys," Davis said Thursday at media day. "I know they're all honored and it's a role that I'm thrilled to take. I'm usually really vocal within the receiver group, but now I'm going to grow and change that."

Jones, another redshirt senior, had three interceptions last season, tying for the team lead. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 60 and also had 11 pass defenses.

"It was awesome. It means a lot to have your teammates vote for you as leader," Jones said. "I want to lead by example, going to class, getting good grades. Working hard in the weight room. I have to be more vocal. There's going to be times when guys are down, they're not going to want to go to practice, and you have to talk them into it. That's going to be an interesting role."

Mateas, the third redshirt senior, spent the season anchoring an offensive line that lost Gus Cruz to injury as three different players saw action at both right guard and right tackle.

"I'm ecstatic. It was a great honor," Mateas said. "I'm just going to try and be myself, be genuine. If I need to speak up, if I need to lead by example, I feel that I can do what's necessary to help the team. That'll be my role. Whatever needs to be done."

Perhaps the biggest surprise in captains' selections was Vann, who played in just nine games last season as a sophomore, making just 17 tackles.

"I was very excited and humbled and honored that my teammates chose me as captain," Vann said. "I just want to bring a lot of energy each and every day. Don't try to be anyone that I'm not. Just be truthful to people but at the same time do it in a way that's respectful. I just want to be a humble captain but also bring energy at the same time."

And Vann's excited to be alongside the Huskies' three other leaders.

"Alex is going to be vocal. He's going to bring energy to get the team going," Vann said. "Byron will do things his way with a lot of respect and maturity, and Geremy, he's a leader. He'll lead by example."

As a matter of fact, so is Jones.

"All of these guys have stepped up vocally as well," said the cornerback. "You can hear them now, whether it's Alex talking with the (offensive) line or Geremy talking with the receivers. And Marquise is one of the most passionate people at this university. He can energize you."

Next Friday night at Rentschler Field, Davis, Jones, Mateas and Vann will lead the Huskies onto the field against BYU.

"I'm proud to be coaching them," Diaco said. "They're incredible leaders and, once again, selected by our team, so how could you go wrong? They're all hard workers. They all know their assignments. They're all fine young men off the field. We've got two that are a little more quiet and two that are a little more demonstrative, so we've got a nice blend."